Local doctor endorses FDA's approval of COVID boosters for kids

Safeway pharmacist Ashley McGee fills a syringe with the Pfizer COVID-19 booster vaccination at a vaccination booster shot clinic on October 01, 2021 in San Rafael, California. Marin County opened its first COVID-19 booster shot clinic inside a former Victoria's Secret store at Northgate Mall. The clinic is giving priority to residents over 75 years old but is open to all ages that are eligible to receive the Pfizer booster. Photo credit Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

By Rachel Pierson

(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The FDA has authorized a booster dose of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11 on Tuesday — a move endorsed by a medical expert in Chicago.

Dr. Ban Al-Sayyed, division director for infectious diseases at Loyola University, says this will help protect kids as cases are once again on the rise.

“This will give them more protection for the severe onset of the disease and hopefully prevent hospitalization with severe symptoms,” the physician said.

Al-Sayyed noted that the Omicron variant and its sub-variants make up more than 70% of infections.

And while she acknowledged that children tend to be more resilient when it comes to COVID infections, she said there are plenty of exceptions.

“Once you see a kid with myocarditis and severe hypotension, or once you see a kid who is distressed, fighting for oxygen, when you see that, you don't want your child to experience it.”

To those who are worried about possible side effects of the vaccine or booster, Al-Sayyed said the COVID vaccine is far less risky than the illness itself.

The FDA’s decision will now go to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which will make a recommendation about how the boosters should be used for the age group.